Moving on, I was ecstatic to sign on today and see that you all have now raised 43 minutes of crisis and suicide prevention for To Write Love On Her Arms. I'm impressed by how quickly this number is rising. Kudos, all!
So down to business. (lack of creativity = intense writers block for me -.-)
Ruth Chapter 2
Synopsis: In this passage, Ruth begins to work to provide for Naomi and herself, since Naomi was advanced in years. She began the lowly job of gleaning grain in the fields of a man whom was a relative of her deceased husband. This was a job that was not promised any kind of return or wage. It depended solely on the favor of the owner of the land. The aforementioned relative was called Boaz, an upstanding and righteous man in the community. When he saw Ruth, he inquired as to who she was, and she found favor in his eyes, especially after he was told the story of how she chose to stay and take care of Naomi. At this he urged her to stay and glean in his fields and made the choice to take care of her, just as if she was one of his servant girls. Needless to say, when Ruth informed Naomi, a spark of hope arose in her heart.
Going Deeper: This passage itself is mostly cut and dry. To continue with the note on Hebrew name meanings yesterday, Boaz most likely translates to "In him is strength". Was this an allusion to spiritual strength? Physical strength? I'd like to think it meant both. Boaz is one of those biblical characters that somewhere deep down in the heart of a young woman like me wonders if men with integrity and traits like that actually still exist. Not only has the meaning of femininity been horridly perverted by the world, but its quite an accurate statement to say that the meaning of masculinity has been painfully perverted. Men today could learn a lot by studying men like Boaz.
Boaz was also a bit impressed by Ruth's character. It was not customary for a widow to stay with her mother in law after the loss of her husband; it was no longer her responsibility. Boaz respected Ruth for her strength of character and willingness to put others ahead of herself.
The job that Ruth chose was to glean the fields that Boaz owned. In biblical history, this was a job that was reserved for those who where "down on their luck" so to speak. This was often the source of food for the impoverished. In doing this, Ruth had the lowest standing of anyone in the fields, but Boaz in turn did not treat her as such. She inquires of him in verse 13; "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant - though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls." Boaz sees more than what meets the eye in Ruth, and treats her with favor, calling his workers to even drop extra grain to ensure that she is able to gather more than enough, and even calling him to sit with him and dine during meals.
Naomi's heart begins to grow with hope, because she is familiar with Boaz. Not only is he an upstanding man in the community and a relative, but he is also what is called a "kinsman redeemer". The kinsman redeemer, in short, is a relative that is responsible for welfare of the family members in need after the death of his relative. This includes marrying the widow of his passed relative.
One thing that stuck into my heart reading this, is the sudden turn of events. The first chapter of Ruth was filled with pain and disappointment, but it seems that God had quite a bit planned in the second chapter. Putting myself in Naomi and Ruth's situation, I feel that it would be a safe statement to say that they felt as if nothing would ever get better, that God was against them and their situation would never improve. Remember Naomi proclaiming that God Almighty was against her? That was the note that Ruth Chapter 1 ended on. Ruth Chapter 2 ends with Naomi's cold and desolate heart beginning to again bloom and grow with hope.
As I was writing this today, the song You Are For Me by Kari Jobe showed up on the shuffle in my itunes. If you have not heard this song, I urge to you listen to it.
So tonight I end sharing the song that accurately expresses the cry of my heart right now.
"So faithful
So constant
So loving and so true
So powerful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are
So patient
So gracious
So merciful and true
So wonderful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me that
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are
-Kari Jobe "You Are For Me"
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